Birmingham retail wish list (Mobile, Hoover: shopper, occupancy, Sears)

[bhamguy]

Not to get it started, but an insider who works in Riverchase Galleria, has informed me of the "&" store, will be opening a store in the place of where Banana Republic was. I was unsure how, unless they plan to do something with the stores above that space. The same person told me that there is some expansion plans on the outside of Macy's at Brookwood Village Mall, a bowling alley moving into an expandes Z Gallerie space, and that Z Gallerie will be moving upstairs, where American Eagle and Express were located. How accurate is any of this, I don't know.

[Tourian]

I dunno how a bowling alley would fit but they are reshuffling stores there to put the fancy dinner n movie place in there at Brookwood.

I'm thinking an "&" at the big G would have to be two stories but i dont know how that works. If we don't get a full sized "&" bigger than HSV's how can we hope to advance to the next reit?

[preguntas]

I also was made aware of a new outdoor section of shops connecting Macy's east entrance to the area where Gille29 is going to open.

As I have said before, Cypress is the best thing to happen for Brookwood. Colonial's interests were elsewhere, and it really showed.


To Tourian; they are using part of the lower parking on both sides to make the entertainment expansions.

[Tourian]

This article about that <SHIFT> 7 place got me to wondering if our state gambling/gaming laws might be a hindrance to this place coming to the 'Ham.

Dave & Buster's Grows Closer To Little Rock Landing | Arkansas Business News | ArkansasBusiness.com

That measure, approved by the Legislature as Act 1209, raised the cap on how much a player of arcade games can win. State law had capped the prize at 10 times what it cost to play the game or $5, whichever was less. In a game in which a player wins multiple tickets, the value of the prize was limited to $12.50. Hutchinson’s bill increased that cap to $500, a sum that accommodates the PlayStation, Wii and Xbox video game systems Dave & Buster’s sometimes bestows as prizes.

But I don't know if a game of skill with a prize is the same as a slot machine game of chance. The threshold that Chuck E. Cheese has where it takes around 50,000 tickets to win a four pack of crayons or 10M tickets to win beanie baby must not raise any legislative eyebrows.

[280Tony]

Good insight, Tourian. I wrote a lengthy paper on Alabama gaming law for a law school class, and the Chuck E. Cheese bill that paved the way for video games of skill offering redeemable coupons (passed in 1996, given judicial support in a 1997 advisory opinion) was ultimately struck down in 2001 by a civil appellate court. It has since created a huge headache for video game operators (both types of prizes - cash and chattel), and would absolutely factors in to Dave & Buster's reservations about operating in this state. Who would want Luther Stranges' goons coming up in your restaurant and seizing your machines?

[Tourian]

Trader Joe's is just about ready...

Birmingham's first Trader Joe's announces opening date | AL.com

Birmingham's long-awaited first Trader Joe's finally has an opening date.
The Birmingham store will open Oct. 2 at The Summit Shopping Center. The store at 209 Summit Blvd. will be approximately 12,600 square feet.
The store will be Trader Joe's first in Alabama.

[Tourian]

Flip flop lovers rejoice...

Flip Flop Shops to take space at Riverchase Galleria - Birmingham Business Journal

Flip Flop Shops, a Georgia-based retailer, has chosen the Riverchase Galleria for its first Alabama store.
The retailer plans to open in the Hoover shopping mall on Aug. 8.

Flip Flop Shops currently operates over 100 stores globally, and there are currently over 150 stores in development.

The retailer features several brands, including OluKai, Havaianas, Reef, Sanuk Rainbow, Cobian, Quicksilver and Roxy.
It is one of several recent new retailers signing on as tenants at the Galleria.

[Tourian]

Bass Pro- lite is finally open...

Hoover's Field & Stream store is open - Birmingham Business Journal

Now that it is done, I am focused mainly on The second Whole Foods center. They've gutted it, but no further work has been done. I am assuming nothing will change with Best Buy and Pet Smart (and Newk's and Moe's) but I felt like they hinted at a whole new face being put on the rest of the center as well and some new to the area retailers along with it - or maybe I am reading to much into it...

Least they could do as level that sad old Blockbuster. Once this center is back up and running at full strength, that intersection will be maxed out with retail crowded up and all around it. Reminds me of how Oporto Madrid and Crestwood Blvd used to be back in the day.

[preguntas]

Construction walls have gone up around TRADER JOE'S.

I too am looking forward to the opening of the newest WHOLE FOODS.

Then, almost a year from now I am also looking forward to the opening of WESTERN MARKET @ LANE PARKE. (construction started this week)
I think many grocery companies miss the boat on dine in options. WHOLE FOODS does a good job, but I am really anticipating the mezzanine dining area at WESTERN MARKET.

[preguntas]

I don't believe I have read anything on the forum related to Kirkland going 'back' into the GALLERIA. This confuses me a bit. They were there in a much smaller format for years, and now they are coming back much larger in the former Brooks Brother's space. (which has been empty for a long time, not counting the seasonal Christmas Store)

I think it says good things about Patton Creek Center that there have been quite a number of stores come to them from the mall, ( Lotus being the latest) and now one is going back. I think there is a message here, but I am afraid it is not good.